The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-06-25


those who were wavering, were con-
frmed, and those who never heard our
faith are beginning to think.
May we all try each and every day to
live up to the high behest of our faith,
is the prayer of your sister in Christ.
z. A. b.
Wyoming, o.
Burlington, KY, is one OF the pleasant
places always to be remembered by one
who has enjoyed its hearty welcome and
been made partaker of the generous hos
pitalities OF its genial, large. souled, clear
headed people. The week spent there in
discussion with Elder W. J. Howe, and
preaching for them the following Sun
day, was among the most enjoyable OF my
life Our church there is respectable both
in numbers and character of its members.
Besides, the people OF all sects and par
ties in that whole community seem to
have more than the usual endowment OF
Christian charity and good fellowship.
Sure it is that my brief soiourn among
them was made one OF the most pleasant
of experiences and full illustration of
genuine hospitality.
It was feared that the excitement Of the
discussion might break the harmony ex-
isting between all the churches and do
the cause of religion harm. But re-
joice to know that such was not the re-
suit. Not only was good fellowship pre-
served, but increased, even unto the end.
of the debate, as was sbundantly evinced
all through the discussion, and in our
meetings which followed, by the crowds
in attendance, their manifest good will,
and the many uniting in our commun-
ion services on Sunday. am sure that
good was done. Many see the truth in
clearer light; members OF other churches
have a better knowledge of what Uni
versalism is, and consequently have less
prejudice against it. Some converts
were made to the faith, and better feel
ing exists than ever before.
OF my opponent, Elder Howe, l can
say, ne is man Of good talent, of large
experience and quite good debater,
though it has been my fortune to meet
some stronger men in debate. He has
crossed swords with large number OF
our brethren, and claims laurels in all
those encounters, which may be ac-
counted for By those conVers8nt with Br.
Howe. Perhaps he may make the same
claim in this last experience; but he can
bring no credentials from Burlington es
tsblishing such claim. That he sig
nally failed to sustain his cause Is sem
timent widespread if not quite universal
at that place. One of his staunchest
brethren thought that Mr.. Howe, with
the Bible, was about match for Mr..
Hughes; otherwise he would be no match
his opponent was great Improvement
over the Cumminsville debate; at least
SO l was informed by those present at
both discussions. He was gentleman
throughout, said he "had learned to love
Br. Hughes" and the few infractions
made he apologized for when pointed
out. In the main, would ask for no
more gentlemanly opponent; and he is
capable of making it interesting to who
ever meets him.
l purpose no enumeration of the argu-
mel is produced on either eide. ad-
vanced twelve arguments in favor Of the
final holiness and happiness of all man
kind, based upon explicit declarations OF
Scripture, and stood by them to the end
of the discussion. Mr.. Howe, feel con-
fident, did not take one of them from my
hands; am sure he felt the force of them
from the fact that he invariably made new
issues in his replies and did not touch
the points as presented, all numbered and
convenient for his attack if he felt able to
do so. The proof in all those arguments
failed to the end to command his atten-
tiop aud stand as yet unanswered.
Mr.. Howe's points in affirmation of
Sluie5B HuuhuLu6uL hblFy tI4C itShIlGC-
ton of the body, the coming OF Christ in
Judgment, a general Judgment and a sen
tence to au irreversible condition. He
failed to make an argument on the words
of duration applied to punishment, but
seemed to rely most on the sound in
prejudiced ears Of hurried quotation OF
great numbers OF passages of Scripture.
1t seemed either an attempt to keep out
of my way, and avoid a close contact and
full discussion Of any one Of his proofs,
or else to confuse and cover up his oppo-
nent by an avalanche Of texts, full exam
ination OF which in the time allotted was
impossible. But each one of his quota
tions received as much attention or more
than given by himself, and there was no
opportunity to say at the close, Here are
so many texts relied on and Mr.. Hughes